Find out how popular the last name Bolston is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Bolston.

Bolston, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Bolston surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bolston in America

Bolston is the 105600th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bolston surname appeared 169 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Bolston.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bolston to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Bolston

The surname Bolston traces its origins to the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "boll" meaning "rounded hill" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." Thus, the name likely referred to someone who lived near a rounded hill or settlement on a hill.

Bolston is thought to have first appeared in the counties of Derbyshire and Staffordshire in central England during the 11th century. Early records show variations in spelling such as Bolestun, Bolestoune, and Boliston, reflecting the evolving nature of English orthography over time.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a landowner named Godric de Boleston is listed as holding estates in Derbyshire. This suggests that the Bolston family had already established a presence in the region by the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Robert de Bolston served as a canon of the cathedral church of Lichfield, located in Staffordshire. His name appears in various ecclesiastical records from that period, demonstrating the continued use of the surname among the local gentry.

During the 14th century, a man named John Bolston (c. 1320 - 1385) gained prominence as a successful merchant and landowner in the town of Derby. He was instrumental in the construction of a chapel dedicated to St. Mary, which still stands today as a testament to his legacy.

In the 16th century, a prominent member of the family was Sir William Bolston (1540 - 1612), who served as a Member of Parliament for Derbyshire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was known for his staunch support of the Protestant Reformation and his involvement in local politics.

Another notable figure was Thomas Bolston (1620 - 1678), a scholar and clergyman who served as the headmaster of Repton School, a prestigious institution in Derbyshire. He was highly regarded for his contributions to education and his work in promoting classical studies.

As the centuries passed, the Bolston family continued to play an active role in various spheres of life, including politics, religion, and commerce, solidifying their place in the annals of English history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bolston

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Bolston.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bolston was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Bolston has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Bolston was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bolston, please contact us.

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